Monday, February 23, 2009
I have provided a lot of information on the use of EDM in aerospace
manufacturing through this blog, trade events, webinars on Makino.com, and a
recently published article in Makino's aerospace focused magazine, Radical
Departures. These have produced a fair amount of interest from several
aerospace primes and top tier suppliers, as well as MROs in the aerospace
sector. I've completed the testing program to gather data for general,
non-specific applications, and have sent out over 2 dozen copies of the complete
test results to the companies that have asked for them.
If you have an interest
in looking at EDM as a viable process in parts manufacturing for the aerospace
industry, from engine parts to landing gear components, contact me to discuss
how Makino can help. We are ready and willing to provide test cuts on specific
materials and geometries that your company can perform metallurgical tests on to
verify recast and HAZ thickness, existence of micro cracks, surface hardness,
tensile strength, etc. If you would like a copy of Radical Departures, let me
know and I will make sure you receive on. The test cuts and magazine are
free.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
There's always a good feeling you get after reading an e-mail like this...
"It is a pleasure to write this e-mail. I wanted
to express my gratitude for the support I've always received from all of my
contacts with the people from SST Group. Mr. Dan Dotson keeps in frequent
contact with me on any consumable items that I may need. He always finds time to
call me at least weekly to provide updates on SST product updates or to offer
encouragement as we navigate this difficult business cycle environment. Many
thanks.
I would also like to tell you about the valuable support I receive
from another of your highly qualified people. Kevin Most has probably been the
biggest reason I have been successful with the investments I've made with Makino
EDM's. Many, many numerous times I have clicked on his speed-dial on my cell
phone over the last 2 to 3 yrs and have never not been able get in immediate
contact with Kevin. I'm not talking about problems with my machines but rather
application issues such as helping me by discussing the best way to burn select
materials so I can quote a job, or complete a job or just enlighten me as to the
capabilities of the SP43. I have one small customer that asks me to burn a shape
in carbide that is actually a spline curve which often trips me up on the
programming side and Kevin always finds a solution for me. Did you know that he
helped me through one of these projects by exchanging e-mails while he was in
Singapore last year? Yep, he found time between meetings, tours and training to
get the info to me. Unbelievable. Ask him sometime how he worked me through a 4axis
application for an exhaust nozzle on a jet engine that turned into a blanket
order that lasted over a year and may repeat again this year.
Lately, I've
been moving jobs from other wire edm's over to the Makinos to take advantage of
using my 'HEAT' settings on quite thin but very rigid work pieces. I don't think
'Heat' is generally recommended for 1/4" or 3/8" thick work pieces however when
the parts are in a rigid set-up and very poor flushing 'Heat' works very
well.
I will not extend this email further with any more examples of how I've
been supported. So let me conclude with this. Picture me in my shop, standing in
front of the control on a SP43, cell phone up against my ear, saying "Kevin, how
do I get it (the SP43) to do this" That says it all.
When I purchased my
second Makino, I told Nick that I made my decision based on buying not just a
good machine but also buying the Makino Team. I'm sure I'll feel the same when
I'm ready for my third."
Sincerely,
Jack Lanphier Pres.
Lanko
Industries, Inc.
Mentor, Ohio
Thanks for the e-mail Jack. It's a pleasure for all of us at Makino to serve our customers.